Welcome to your best source of information for Peace Corps Zambia! If you’re considering volunteering in Zambia, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll tell you more about the history of the Peace Corps in Zambia and explore Zambia as a nation. You’ll learn about the languages spoken in the country and hear about other volunteers experiences. You can find more information about safety and health issues here too. And we’ll tell you how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) who served in Zambia. Get ready to find out more about information to help you decide if serving in Zambia is right for you.
In Zambia, volunteers for Agriculutre and Environment usually leave in March. And volunteers for Education and Health usually leave in August.
What is the History of Peace Corps Zambia?
The Peace Corps has been in Zambia since 1994. More than 3,000 volunteers have served there. They work on education, health, environment, farming, and community business development. Some key programs are training teachers, helping girls go to school, and HIV/AIDS prevention. Peace Corps Zambia had its 25th anniversary in 2019. The volunteers have helped local communities make progress in economic and social development.
What about Zambia as a nation?
Zambia is a country in Southern Africa. It got independence from Britain in 1964. Zambia’s economy depends a lot on copper mining. But farming is also important, with corn as a major crop. Zambia has over 70 different ethnic groups. English is the official language, but many local languages too. Zambia struggles with poverty and AIDS, but has a stable democracy. Tourism is growing, with Victoria Falls on the border with Zimbabwe a big attraction. Zambia’s wildlife and national parks also draw visitors. Zambia is a country trying to use its natural resources to give economic opportunities and a better life to its people.
What languages do they speak in Zambia?
The official language is English and the main language used in education, government, and formal business. Zambia has one of the highest levels of English skill in Sub-Saharan Africa.
But Peace Corps volunteers will learn to speak local languages, including Bemba, Chitonga, Lenje, Kaonde, Lunda, Mambwe-Lungu, and Nyanja.
How safe is it serve as a volunteer in Zambia?
In general, 90% of volunteers felt safe or very safe where they lived in Zambia. And 91% felt safe or very safe where they worked. 10% of volunteers early terminated. But more detailed information about safety compared to other Peace Corps countries can be found in the Zambia Country Crime Profile.
Most of the medical problems seen in Zambia are also found in the United States, such as colds, diarrhea, skin infections, headaches, minor injuries, sexually transmitted infections, adjustment disorders, and emotional problems. For Volunteers, these problems may be more frequent or compounded by life in Zambia because local factors raise the risk of or exacerbate the severity of certain illnesses.
The medical problems specific to Zambia are Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, rabies, cholera, diarrhea, skin infections, dental problems, headaches, respiratory infections, minor injuries, HIV/AIDS, and STIs. Health problems also can result from local environmental factors, such as dust, humidity, insects, and disease- producing microorganisms. Because malaria is endemic in Zambia, Volunteers are required to take anti- malarial medications.
But more detailed information about health related issues at Peace Corps Zambia can be found in the Zambia Health and Medical Care Summary.
What do volunteers think of serving in Zambia?
Since 1975, the Annual Volunteer Survey has been a source of information on the state of the Peace Corps (PC) program for the agency, Congress, researchers, the media, and the general public. In 2019, 91% of volunteers found their overall Peace Corps service rewarding or very rewarding. 93% of volunteers would still make the same decision to serve with the Peace Corps today. 90% of volunteers would recommend Peace Corps service to others. More information can be found in the Zambia Annual Volunteer Survey Satisfaction Results.
Where can I learn more about Peace Corps Zambia volunteer experiences?
PCV blogs and YouTube channels offer a unique look into the daily life of volunteers serving in Zambia. These blogs and channels can help you understand the challenges and triumphs that come with being a volunteer. Explore these links for inspiring stories and practical advice from current and past volunteers.
Blog and YouTube Channel Links:
- Adam & Lianne (RAP) – 2018-20, 2022-23 blog and YouTube channel
- Sinead (Health) – 2019-20
- Melinda (Food Security) – 2018-20
- Amanda (Health) – 2017-19
- Joshua (Forestry) – 2016-18
- Kenneth – 2014-16
- Female (Food Security) – 2013-15
- Matt – 2013-15
How can I connect with Returned PCVs who served in Zambia?
If you’re interested in learning more about serving in Zambia, I’ve got you covered! Click here to see all of my posts about Peace Corps Zambia with details on the experience, culture, food, packing tips, and more.
And where can I find official information about Peace Corps Zambia?
- PeaceCorps.gov/Zambia
- Projects in Zambia
- Stories from Zambia
- Preparing to Volunteer
- Living Conditions
- Training
- Health
- Safety and Security
- Diversity and Inclusion
- Packing Guidance
This is an old PC publication called “The Peace Corps Welcomes You to Zambia“, published in 2013. In the past, before the internet, this is how volunteers learned more about Zambia. Even though it is many years old, there is still a lot of good information there. You can download it here but remember it is just for informational purposes. For up-to-date information, always check with you Peace Corps contacts and staff.
Conclusion:
This blog post has provided you with information to help you decide if serving in Zambia is right for you. You have gained insights into the cultural, linguistic, and developmental aspects of the country. We have also touched on the safety considerations and health-related information relevant to volunteers. And, you learned how to connect with returned Peace Corps Volunteers. For more information about Peace Corps Zambia, you can visit the Peace Corps website or explore the provided resources. We hope this post has been helpful in your quest for information on Peace Corps Zambia.
Map by EC-JRC (ECHO) and is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
